The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1887-02-16
The Farmers Movement,
Suggestions for the Reduction ofState and
County Expenses.
Speech of the Hon. James E. Tlndol be-
fore the Clarendon Farmers Club.

DCeoCH ~ "to 1Ao". o""'o'' 40 A''''"' y"
fore the Clarendon Farmers Club.
The County Agricultural Society net on
Saturday, January 29th.
Mr.. Tindal called it to order and spoke in
substance as follows
This, gentlemen, is our annual meeting,
set apart by the constitution for the election
of officers. 1t has been nearly two years
since the first steps were taken to have some
association Of the farmers of this county. A
meeting was called and elected delegates TO
Summer meeting at Bennettsvllle and in
structea their delegates to prepare constl-
tuition for permanent association. At the
next meeting after the delegates reported
from the Benrettsrille meeting our present
society was organized, and last year earnest
efforts were made to induce the farmers in
every community to form clubs, which they
did. The object CT this association IS to en-
tighten each other by discussion and friend
" intercourse, upon matters which concern
as as farmers and as citizens. This includes
interchange ofviews upon agricultural meth
DDS and practices, upon public measures
which affect our interests and upon whatever
will conduce to enlightened citizenship
among our people. Farmers a-e under the
same obligations as all other citizens IN this
free country to understand their public du.
ties and responsibilities. And as they form
so large a part CT the population, it's Of
great value to the general good. and OF prime
necessity to them to have enlightened views
and PROPER regard for their interests. They
are bound to the soil, and cannot afford
Yf,lI- aSSentIo1
can thev afford less taxes than is sufficient
for good government They are. therefore,
the most conservative of the popueatlon, and
often slower TO advance than their true In
terests demands.
The subject most discussed with US last
year, was the necessity OF agricultural educa-
ton, aud the importance OF reducing the
burdens OF the government, where that may
be dore withoutinjury. These matters We're
discussed throughout the State. In our
county we did not hope to see much reduc-
ton in the expenses Of the State government
but we did think that the county govern
ment could be changed to great advantage.
Our people also endorsed the view, that the
Board Of Agriculture should be made larger
and more representative. and direct its en-
ergies to enllghten the people at home, in
stead of looking abroad-Shouli spend less
money in hand-books and displays and
more upon farmers institutes and upon diff
tasirg among the people more generally
such information of It's work IN their behalf
as would give more general satisfaction. We
also believed shat as We are brought IN CON-
petition with practically educated world,
that the necessity of more practical educa-
ton was apparent for US. Our convention
endorsed, therefore, the resolution to estab
lish experimental farms and al agricultural
college This general awakening OF the
farmers to discuss their condition and wants
and to form societies-to effect L general as
sociation-has been called The Farmers
Movement"
1t is felt that the majority of our farmers
are not prospering and while money IS four
per cent elsewhere, our rate OF interest IS
ruinous. This is because the farms are not
skillfuliy managed and do not yield as they
might, For if we show to the world that
our farmers can and do make money at their
business, all the capital necessary will go to
them and interest will be reduced. But no
hand books or exhibit of our resources, or
treatises on our sell will bring capital to the
farms that can't pay-nor will the most stu
pid immigrants come and remain where
800, 900 farm laborers produce only Il UOC-
600 Of farm stu1fS.
The agitation has done more good ;han
ANYTHING since 1876. 1t has awakened
thought and directed the best mind OF the
whole country to the true state Of affairs.
There is great earnestness manifested by
every body one meets, to look into and scru-
tinize the whole machinery of our govern
ment to see where retrenchment can be pro-
ftably secured The first and most essen
tial step therefore to secure reform has been
taken and it is only question of time when
all wise reforms will come The projectors
may not live to see it all accomplished, but
the State has been naturally benefited u
ready and in the end will come a general
overhauling of the government and OF busl-
ness methods. The State levy this year IS
4, mills. This can be further reduced IN
tine by reducing the rate Of interest on the
public debt, by reducing the cost of the lu-